Hampstead anticipated a stiff proposition in facing Hounslow in the second round of the Middlesex Seniuor Cup on Saturday, for the Spartan League team have been doing well lately, but there proved to be no cause for anxiety. Hampstead actually netted five times, though only three goals were allowed. They scored the only goal in an uninteresting first half, increased the lead soon after the change of ends and were thence forward obvious winners. The ground was greasy enough to render ball control difficult and at times the game was marred by rough tactics, which resulted in several free kicks being awarded against the visitors.

Considering the fact that Hounslow dismissed Wood Green by 8-0 in the first round, Hampstead may be said to have done well in scoring a trio without response.

Alec Buchanan was fit again and returned to the forward line, which was otherwise unchanged, and the only alteration in the announced team was the substitution of J.W. Bloxham at left-half for G. Bucci, who was resting.

This was L. Graves's last match for Hampstead, owing to his removal to Liverpool, and his farewell performance was excellent in all respects; while Rees was in splendid form. Butland, at inside-left, did an enormous amount of work and contributed largely towards the victory.

The spin of the coin favoured Dean (now vice-captain of the club), who set Hampstead to play down the field. During the opening minutes Hounslow were in the ascendancy, but the home defence soon turned them back and Rees pushed the ball forward to Bramley, but he slipped and lost it, and Butland, who recovered the ball, was robbed near the goal by Goodwin. A long shot by Rees off Bramley went wide, and Buchanan also missed with a shot along the ground.

Buchanan netted off Eagles shortly afterwards, but offside was given. The visiting defence was a hard-kicking lot, indulging in no fancy business, and they frequently got the forwards well up the field, but there were few occasions of danger to Hampstead, though Smith had to run out once to put Burgess off when he broke through and streaked straight for goal, having moved up from the halves owing to an injury to Parker.

Hounslow seemed to place most reliance in the left wing, from which direction there came some dashing attacks, George being very quick to make use of Wilcocks' passes, but Graves and Dean were for ever on the watch, and Smith dealt skilfully with such shots as did come through. He was only once in real difficulty, when Harris and Burgess were worrying him, but he threw clear just as the whistle went for a foul by Harris.

At the other end Bramley took up a pass from Butland and struck the crossbar with a fine running kick, whilke Bloxham went wide from rather far out.

Credit for the first goal rests mainly upon Evans, who worked well for the opening and delivered a short pass to Butland, who turned the ball in beneath the goalkeeper's arms. Evans was injured and had to leave the field shortly after this, but he soon returned and distinguished himself with a beautiful shot across the goalmouth, Strudwick gathering the ball just as Buchanan was on the point of converting. Eagles and Bramley also tried for goals before half-time.

Hampstead attacked strongly on the left straight after the restart, but could make no headway owing to the one-back game adopted by the visitors. They were repulsed once for George and Hunter to test Smith, but good movements in the centre brought Hampstead forward again and Evans took a shot, only to drive wide of the mark.

Then came the surprise of the game. Buchanan took a " don't care " kind of shot from far out and the ball bounced unimpeded into the Hounslow goal, Strudwick being out of the posts for some reason which was not apparent.

Play was carried to the opposite end for a time and Smith brought off a good save from George, taking the ball right off his toe. Hounslow forced a corner without effect and Hampstead returned to the attack, Evans trying the goalkeeper with a shot from a corner kick from the left. Bramley failed with a nicely-judged dropping shot and soon afterwards Butland netted, but was ruled offside. Strudwick was lucky with a blind save from Eagles who ran the ball almost to the corner of the goal before shooting.

Hampstead's third goal came from Evans. The ball was pushed forward to Butland by Rees and was transferred to Evans, who had a fine run to close quarters and shot cleverly round the custodian.

The last twenty minutes saw close struggles at both ends, with Hampstead still more dangerous. Strudwick cleared rather weakly from Eagles and this might have led to a fourth goal but Evans was pulled up for handling when well placed.

Clever work by George and Burgess brought the Hampstead goalkeeper into action again, but he cleared well, and although he conceded a corner to Harris a few moments later the home goal was fairly free from danger. Hampstead were pressing hard again just before time, but could not add to their score.